Wasted Gifts

We are certainly at the countdown.  It is nearly too late to shop for last minute gifts.  Gift giving can be such a rewarding experience.  Sadly most times giver worry if the recipient will  want or like or use the gift.  No matter who you are shopping for you probably have anguished over the idea of buying the perfect gift. Nothing is more disheartening than giving a gift that is ill-received.  It can cause an awkward situation for both people.  

Let's face it...trying to interpret someone else's sense of style.  Selecting the right color or material can take the joy out of giving.   Ever shop for a teenager and they never wear or use the gift?  They take it and act like it is a good gift, but their actions speak volumes to the contrary.  Not to mention the person who 'has everything' on your list who expects you to get them something.   After so many futile attempts to get it correct with everyone, you might just resign yourself to the fact that you cannot please these people no matter what you get them. 

Let's think about the gifts we have all been given that we don't use.  We have been blessed with gifts that we never asked for...and rarely show gratitude for.  

Gift of Sight
Most of us were blessed with 2 eyes.  Our eyes are the primary way for us to see the sadness, oppression, and pain.  But how do we use our eyes?  We use our eyes to see what we want to see. Consequently we miss chances to see what God wants us to see.  We waste the gift of sight.  

Gift of Hearing
God thought hearing was very important and he gave each of us 2 years.   With these ears we need to listen to the cries of the need; listen for to hear the distress in the voice of the victims; listen for the voice of God about our lives.   Once again, we abuse this gift by listening to our own intuition, conscience, leading, or voice.  We go to friends and family member for advice  and guidance all the while ignoring the Holy Spirit who is speaking.  We waste the gift of hearing. 

Gift of Salvation
You've been there.  You have a Christmas party with a gift exchange and you forgot to buy a gift.  What are you to do?  Well you look around your home and find something you really did not want and you wrap it and re-gift it.  You in essence select something that is of no value to you to give to someone and pass it along as something of worth.  

Imagine how God feels.  He has given to each of us the gift of Salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  But like that teenager we thumb our noses at God's gift.   If you are into re-gifting why not help someone to seek a relationship with God so that they can get the gift of Salvation that is free, one size fits all...perfect gift!  Jesus gave us an commission to 'go out and teach and preach in His name...to make sure everyone knows who Jesus is and how He came to save all.  Everyone needs the gift of Salvation and it might be you who will let someone know that the payment has been made...all they need to do is to  jump right in.  Let's not waste the gift of Salvation!

God has given us everything we need to live and live abundantly.  We need to learn how to discern the gifts God has given us and use them for His glory.  God Bless....

In His Service,
Reba